Marilyn Guilford accepted a Defence Meritorious Service Medal on behalf of her daughter Leanne Woon.Photo / John Borren
Marilyn Guilford accepted a Defence Meritorious Service Medal on behalf of her daughter Leanne Woon.Photo / John Borren
A prestigious history of service within the New Zealand Airforce - including contributing to the development of women in the defence force and serving Queen Elizabeth - has earned Leanne Woon a Defence Meritorious Service Medal.
Ms Woon's mother Marilyn Guilford received the medal on her daughter's behalf from AirCommodore Kevin McEvoy at an intimate ceremony at Mrs Guilford's Welcome Bay home yesterday morning.
Ms Woon, who retired from the airforce this year with the rank of Wing Commander, was unable to receive the medal herself as she is sailing with her husband near Spain.
It is believed Ms Woon is the first female to receive this medal. Her citation stated the medal recognised her significant contribution to the development of women in the defence force.
Mr McEvoy said it was a special privilege to be the person to present Ms Woon's medal as he had known her for a number of years.
"She worked with me on her last posting to Wellington. I have a soft spot for her, she is an officer of the highest integrity.
"Leanne has been a staunch defence supporter for almost 30 years. She's a woman who's had vast operational experience. She really is, from a defence perspective, a leader who has progressed in particular women in the defence force to a new level, so we're extremely proud of her."
Ms Woon has a long list of achievements from her service with the airforce.
She has been instrumental in developing the contribution of women in the defence forces by developing women's airforce forums and providing strategic advice to the defence force to increase women's participation in the services.
Leanne Woon from Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy yesterday.
Notably, she was the first female to serve as equerry to Queen Elizabeth on her last state visit to New Zealand in 2002. An equerry is appointed to serve the Queen or member of the royal family for the duration of a visit to New Zealand and is appointed from senior New Zealand Defence Force officers.
Ms Woon was also the first female Aide-de-camp for the Governor General.
Mrs Guilford said she was proud of her high-achieving daughter.
Wing Commander Leanne Woon *In 2006 Leanne initiated and hosted the first RNZAF Women's Development Forum at Base Auckland. *This was followed by similar events in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, and involved other agencies including police and the RAAF. *Leanne was influential in setting up the first NZDF Women's Development Forum in 2011. These are now held biennially. *She was also the driving force behind the establishment of the NZDF Women's Development Steering Group launched in 2013 and was its inaugural chairwoman.
Her career *Leanne has spent 25 years in the RNZAF as a Logistics Officer. *She was the first female Aide de Camp to the Governor-General. *Positions she has held include Commanding Officer 209 Squadron, Officer Commanding Logistics Management Squadron, Director of Career Management for Air. *She has been deployed to a number of locations including Bosnia, Timor-Leste and United Arab Emirates.
